Kabul says Taliban ‘appeasement’ dangerous

KABUL—Afghanistan’s foreign minister said Pakistan’s policy of “appeasing” the Taliban is dangerous, reiterating concern that peace talks between Islamabad and rebels would see more cross-border attacks. Pakistan’s new government is in negotiations with Taliban militants along its tribal belt, from where Afghan and Western officials allege the insurgents plot and organise attacks in Afghanistan including against foreign troops.
“Anyone thinking that they are able to reach peace in the region through what we call an appeasement policy — we consider it is a wrong and dangerous policy,” Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta told reporters. The talks launched by a new government that defeated President Pervez Musharraf’s allies in elections have led to a marked tailing off in a wave of suicide attacks across Pakistan.
However, NATO said last week that attacks in April in eastern Afghanistan, along the border with Pakistan, were up 52 percent from the same period last year. A peace deal with Pakistani Taliban in 2006 led to a spike in violence just across the border.
Describing the 2006 deal as bad for Afghanistan, Spanta said the government was “extremely and infinitely concerned” about Islamabad’s moves, which officials in Pakistan say have seen troops redeployed in the tribal zone. He cited media reports saying Taliban had said they wanted peace in Pakistan so they would be able to continue jihad (holy war) in Afghanistan.
“As the victim of terrorism, we have the right to say we’re concerned,” the minister said, adding Kabul had spoken of its fears with Islamabad and Washington. “No doubt reconciliation is a key part in the fight against terrorism,” he said. But he added: “If we are to fight them, we have to fight together. War and peace at the same time is impossible.” Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in September 2007 that he was ready to hold talks with Taliban militants in his country in an effort to end their insurgency.
A British soldier has died in an explosion in Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The soldier’s family had been informed but had asked that no more details be released, the MoD said in a statement released on Tuesday.
It said the soldier was patrolling on foot in Musa Qala, Helmand Province, when he was caught in an explosion and “tragically” died. No one else was injured. His death brings the number of British troops killed in operations in the country since 2001, to 96. A spokesman said the MoD would not provide further updates “in line with the wishes of the family, who are in our thoughts at this difficult time.”
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran calls for full restoration of democracy to Afghanistan and for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country. The president made the remark in a meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan Kai Eide, IRNA reported.